FEATURED EVENTS
‘Captain America: Civil War’
Ongoing
THE LOT opened a second location in Liberty Station (2620 Truxton Road) on May 4. The luxury lifestyle entertainment venue features dining, drinking and high-end cinema all in one. The theater features leather recliners for movie viewing plus a café, bar and restaurant to enjoy before and/or after a screening. You can also enjoy some food and drink selections while watching a movie. The theater is currently showing the new Marvel Comics movie, “Captain America: Civil War” starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and more. Visit thelotent.com for show times, tickets and more.
‘Dollar-A-Dish’
Through Tuesday, May 31
Restaurants throughout San Diego are participating in this annual campaign benefitting San Diego Food Bank’s “Food 4 Kids” backpack program. The program provides weekend backpacks full of food on Friday afternoons for school children in need. Participating restaurants select one of their best-selling items and donate $1 each time that dish is ordered throughout the month. Downtown restaurants participating (and their dishes) include: Analog (Analog Burger), Bracero Cocina (Passion of the Cristo), Cowboy Star Restaurant and Butcher Shop (Cowboy Star Ultimate Burger) and more. Visit sandiegofoodbank.org/dollar for a full list of restaurants and more information.
Gator by the Bay
Through Sunday May 8
This annual zydeco, blues and crawfish festival has once again taken over Spanish Landing Park (3900 N. Harbor Drive, Harbor Island) for four days of festivities. Over 90 performances are slated on seven stages with genres from Cajun to country to jazz and, of course, plenty of zydeco and blues. Large dance floors plus free dance lessons are being offered. The Louisiana food court features tasty eats, plus there are cooking demos for those who want to try their own Cajun and Creole cooking at home. 10,000 pounds of live crawfish has made its way to San Diego for the occasion as well. Visit gatorbythebay.com for the full music lineup and tickets.
Mama’s Day
Friday, May 6
This annual fundraiser for Mama’s Kitchen will feature over 55 top local chefs, restaurants and caterers presenting their signature dishes at Hyatt Regency La Jolla (3777 La Jolla Village Drive). Tickets are $150-$250. Doors open for VIP ticket holders at 5:30 p.m.; general admission starts at 6:30 p.m. Visit mamaskitchen.org for more information.
‘Space Battle San Diego’
Friday, May 6
This charitable event by Cats in Space will be held at the Embarcadero Marina Park South (111 W. Harbor Drive) from 8 – 11 p.m. Attendees can pick one glow sword per $10 fee ($5 for early birds) and “battle” for the side of their choosing – good vs. evil. Sword pickup begins at 7 p.m. One dollar from each sale will benefit Make-A-Wish San Diego. Visit catsinspacetour.com for more information.
The Art Glass Guild’s ‘2016 Spring Patio Show and Sale’
Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8
This weekend-long art glass show focuses on works by local glass artists. More than 30 juried artists will display their artwork on the patio in Spanish Village (1770 Village Place, Balboa Park) from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day. There will be live demonstrations of torch work and glass cutting, live music, and an area for children and adults to create mosaic art pieces to take home. This event it free to the public and pet friendly.
San Diego Paella and Wine Festival
Saturday, May 7
This event celebrates the Spanish dish, Paella, which has origins dating back to the 18th century. Paella chefs and their teams from around the world will compete for various titles at the festival. Wineries, breweries and tequilerias will also be on hand (some tickets include unlimited alcohol tastings). Plus there will be live music provided by mariachi and flamenco groups. The event will be held at Waterfront Park (1600 Pacific Highway, Downtown) from noon – 6 p.m. Visit paellawinefest.com for tickets and details
‘Mom and Me’ making class
Saturday, May 7
Bake Sale Bakery (815 F St., East Village) owner Terryl Gavre and her two children will lead this class from noon – 3 p.m. the day before Mother’s Day. Bakers of all levels are welcome to learn to attend and learn to make apple pie a la mode with tips on creating the pie crust, apple filling and homemade vanilla ice cream. While the pies bake and ice cream chills, participants will enjoy lunch including a selection of sandwiches on fresh bread, soup, chips and drinks. After lunch, attendees will get to taste test the ice cream atop slices of pie. Class is $95 per mother and child pair. Visit bakesalesd.com for more information.
2 for 1 admission on Mother’s Day
Sunday May 8
The Gaslamp Museum (410 Island Avenue) is offering 2 for 1 admission on Mother’s Day. Museum hours are noon to 3:30 pm. Visit gaslampfoundation.org.
Community workshop #2 for 14th Street Promenade Master Plan<
Thursday, May 12
According to Civic San Diego, the 14th Street Promenade will be an urban trail to be used for a variety of activities in East Village, “helping meet the social and recreation needs of this growing community.” The streetscape design will include a range of activities and features including walking, children’s areas, local art displays, sensory play areas, historical artifacts, and more. This workshop is open to the public to review and provide input on the draft concept plan and it will be held at the CivicSD board room (401 B Street, Suite 400, Downtown).
Danzarts’ third annual ‘Colors of Spring’ fundraiser
Saturday, May 14
The children of Danzarts’ Childrens Academy (ages 3 – 17) will perform Calabazeados of Baja and dances of Michoacan at this special fundraiser. Professional dance troupes La Esencia Flamenca and Sabor Mexico will also perform dances from various places. The event will feature beverages, traditional food and sweets and be held at Centro Cultural de la Raza (2004 Park Blvd., Balboa Park) from 5 – 9 p.m. Proceeds will support Danzarts’ goal of raising $10,000 for new costumes. Adult tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, children’s tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Visit danzarts.org/event-calendar for more info.
Save Our Heritage Organisation’s 34th annual People in Preservation (PiP) awards
Thursday, May 19
SOHO will honor their award recipients starting with a Champagne reception at Marston House (3525 Seventh Ave., Balboa Park) at 5:30 p.m. Honorees have made contributions to their communities through historical preservation. The award recipients have worked to save and restore historic resources and cultural landscapes. Tickets are $45 for members and $60 for nonmembers. Visit sohosandiego.org for more information and tickets.
Pirate Days
Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22
This two-day celebration hosted by the Maritime Museum of San Diego (1492 North Harbor Drive, Marina District) will feature kids crafts, a bounce house, a treasure hunt, live music and more. New to Pirate Days this year will be an add-on show called “Boarded! A New Pirate Adventure.” The first 100 children to attend each day will receive a free pirate booty bag. Break out your eye patches and bandanas — kids dressed as pirates will get $2 off admission and there is a costume contest each day at 11:30 a.m. Visit sdmaritime.org for more a full schedule of activities and more.
‘Science Fiction, Science Future’
Saturday, May 21 – Monday, Sept. 5
This traveling exhibition opens at Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (1875 El Prado, Balboa Park) today in the center’s main exhibit gallery. The exhibit brings to life innovations and inventions once considered only science fiction, but now are becoming reality. Visitors will have an interactive experience with robots, holograms, invisibility and more. “Science Fiction, Science Future” was created by the Scitech Discovery Centre in Perth, Australia and produced by Imagine Exhibitions Inc. Visit rhfleet.org for more information.
‘Guadalupe Valley Wines: Then and Now’
Saturday, May 21
Culinary Historians of San Diego present this special talk by boutique winery owner Ray Magnusson at 10:30 a.m. in the auditorium of the Central Library (330 Park Blvd., East Village). This free event will give insight into the wine and culinary explosion happening across the border, as well as delve into Magnusson’s own experience opening Lechuza Wines in Valle de Guadalupe. Visit culinaryhistoriansofsandiego.com for more information.
‘Uprising: Songs of Change’
Sunday, May 22
This fundraising concert will feature the San Diego Women’s Chorus with special guest and legendary songwriter Janis Ian. The concert will honor the influence of music in social movements around the world. The event starts at 7 p.m. at the Balboa Theatre (868 Fourth Ave., Downtown). Tickets start at $15 with VIP spots available. This event benefits the chorus and the Lesbian Health Initiative at the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation. Visit sdwc.org for tickets and more information.
‘Senior Health & Resource Fair’
Wednesday, May 25
St. Paul’s Senior Services is hosting its annual senior health and resource fair from 9 a.m. – noon in conjunction with National Senior Health & Fitness Day. There will be free health screenings offered along with informational seminars and fitness classes, all at St. Paul’s Villa (2340 Fourth Ave., Bankers Hill). This free event will feature over 40 exhibitors. The public is welcome to attend. Visit stpaulsseniors.org for more information.
For Downtown live music listings, visit DowntownSanDiegoLive.com
RECURRING EVENTS
TUESDAY
Residents Free Tuesdays in Balboa Park: Participating museums change the first four Tuesdays of the month. Free for San Diego city and county residents with ID, active military and dependents. Hours vary by museum. Visit balboapark.org/visit/Tuesdays.
Coronado Certified Farmers Market: 2:30 – 6 p.m. First and B streets at Coronado Ferry Landing. Visit welcometocoronado.com.
WEDNESDAY
Weichelt Wednesday (May 11): Come eat, drink and mingle with East Village residents and visitors. Happy hour prices, appetizer, $5 beer and wine. 5 – 7 p.m. Dragon’s Den, 315 Tenth Ave., East Village. Visit WeicheltWednesday11.eventbrite.com.
THURSDAY
Gaslamp Quarter Historical Walking Tour: Stops on this tour include architecturally significant structures from the 1800s including Old City Hall, the Keating Building, William Heath Davis House Museum and more. 1 p.m. 410 Island Ave., Gaslamp. Visit gaslampfoundation.org.
Sunset Trivia: Bring a team or play alone. 7 – 9 p.m. 98 Bottles, 2400 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy. Visit 98bottlessd.com.
FRIDAY
Weekly Downtown Clean & Safe walkabouts: Join DSDP’s Clean & Safe program at 10 a.m. in alternating neighborhoods: Cortez Hill, Core/Columbia, Gaslamp Quarter, Marina and East Village. For more info, call 619-234-8900, visit downtownsandiego.org or sign up for their newsletter.
Take a bite out of Downtown: Hosted by food tour service Bite San Diego, join fellow foodies and winos for a historical walking tour sampling some of Downtown’s finest restaurants. 21+. Noon. Tickets are $45. Tours also on Saturday. Visit bitesandiego.com/index.php.
SATURDAY
East Village walking tour: First Saturday of each month. Take a tour of the village’s best residential buildings, condos and see their amenities. 10 – noon, Urbana Apartment Lofts lobby, 450 10th Ave., East Village. Visit robertweichelt.com.
East Village Community Clean Up: Second Saturday of each month. Help keep the village clean. Free T-shirt and goodie bag. Meet at Promenade Park, 401 K St., East Village. RSVP robertweichelt.com.
Little Italy Mercato: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Rain or shine, visit over 100 booths on West Cedar Street between Kettner Boulevard and Front Street. Visit littleitalysd.com/mercato.
Gaslamp Quarter Historical Walking Tour: Stops on this tour include architecturally significant structures from the 1800s including Old City Hall, the Keating Building, William Heath Davis House Museum and more. 11 a.m. 410 Island Ave., Gaslamp. Visit gaslampfoundation.org.
SUNDAY
Walk-in eReader and device assistance: Free and open to the public. Bring your Android and iOS devices for hands-on learning. 2 – 4 p.m. Room 222, San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., Downtown. Visit sandiegolibrary.org.
Outdoor organ concert: The San Diego Organ Society presents a free organ concert. With over 4,500 pipes, this organ is one of the largest organs in the world with a wonderful sound, playing classic and popular hits by Carol Williams. Enjoy free parking, lots of seating. Balboa Park’s Organ Pavilion. 2 p.m. Visit balboapark.org.
—Compiled by Jen Van Tieghem. Send items for inclusion to editor Morgan M. Hurley at morgan@sdcnn.com.
